Senior Year

Here's to a good fall semester.

=)

Russell & Summer

Despite my inclination for colder temperatures, there's something about the summer season that gets me excited like no other season can. The beach, more free time, a relaxed and quiet campus, shorts & flip flops weather, getting tanned, weekend trips and family vacations- summer definitely has its perks. Winter, you're beat.

I finally got to watching UP last night with some friends. Great movie! Aside from the cute factor of it all, there was definitely something more to be taken from that movie:

Life's an adventure.

Never forget that. It pains me to see some people who choose to waste their life by being stagnant. Get up. Do something fun, something that's good for you. Go for a run, a drive to anywhere, call an old friend and make plans. What better time of the year to do all of this. Take advantage of the summer sun and those feel-good hormones it exudes.

Live life.

It really is nothing short of amazing, but only if you let it be. Though moments will come when all we want is a break, some old Carl moments, make sure to dust yourself off and get back up as soon as possible. Because aside from it being amazing, life is also short. In the end, hopefully we can all look back and be satisfied with all that we've done.

So go ahead, find that Russell in you.

As for me, I like to think I've [somewhat] found him. Summer's been awesome so far. Took a trip to SF & Atlantic City with some good friends, finishing up my last co-op ever, looking forward to my 22nd birthday in NYC (the partying part more so the getting older part =P), july & august classes, family vacation to Maine (definitely won't be like Hawaii last year haha), etc etc. Still so much more I'd like to accomplish. So summer, please slow down just a little bit. As my last pre-graduate summer ever, I'd like to take advantage of it as much as I can.

PS, can someone please help me un-clutter my desk =(. That task's an adventure on its own, dang.

Dispensable

It's a tough job market out there. Layoff after layoff, it's all over the news. If there's only one thing I've learned so far this last co-op session, it's that in the real world, we're dispensable. Skills acquired through an expensive college degree can only take you so far; nothing is ever certain when you exit the padded walls of academia. Even the most personable, well-liked person can fall, as what I saw happen today.

A co-worker last year gave me some advice, something along the lines of:

"Never get comfortable with your job. You're replaceable."

As a new co-op in the company last year, I thought it was a little odd that she was telling me this. I thought to myself, how bitter must this woman be? Shouldn't she be encouraging co-ops? Little did I know. Those words could have prepared me for such an eye-opening return this time around, had I let them. Countless layoffs in the company these past couple of months. I guess as an aspiring young professional, it's good to be experiencing this nice and early, with my student status keeping me safe. God knows that if I weren't a co-op, the ax could be falling on me any second. I guess this is just another way this co-op program really prepares us for post-graduate life, as unfortunate the situation really is.

Live & Learn

Summer sessions are here! Warm & sunny days, outdoor activities, can't wait to soak in some vitamin D. As always, as another semester ends, I of course want to take a moment to reflect. Lesson of the semester this time?

Everything will fall into place in the end.

It all happens for a reason. One way or another, you can look back to all the events in your life and connect the dots. The decisions you've made- whether good or bad, and all of life's unexpected twists and turns. Everything will connect. Though not all the connections are positive ones, I'm overall content with how everything has turned out so far.

This past school year has been chaotic. It's been difficult and demanding, yet it's turned out to be one of the most memorable years for me. I surprised myself, really. A change for the better I like to think. In the process of just doing the things I love, everything seemed to just piece itself together.

"Most of you probably know that I’m not the most serious guy out there. I’m not the best at planning huge events, I’m not all about collaborations and making Barkada bigger and stronger..."

I had said this in my speech for Barkada presidency last year. I was honest, whole-hearted with everything I said. I was also pretty damn scared. Because I learned beforehand that love for something (or someone) is not enough, and I needed more than that to lead the group. I took a chance. Consequently, I ended up with a co-president, and though there were some concerns in the beginning, it ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made- for both Barkada and myself. And as I look back thinking how scared I was, thinking that I don't want to focus on being the best student group, holding the most events, it puts a smile on my face knowing that we won organization of the year. What a feeling, to work tirelessly for something out of genuine love for what you do, and to be rewarded in the end. It all fell into place.

And now I think back and understand. I thought relentlessly, why did Boston Properties have to cut their civil engineer co-op position? That was my number 1 choice for this semester, and I was willing to take on the long hours- often 7am to 7pm on some weekdays- just to work there. I realize now, that if I had gotten the job, it would have taken its toll on my responsibilities on campus. Maybe it was for the better that I return to a co-op job that is so flexible, a place where they know me and trust in my work ethics. It definitely made this past semester easier when it came to my extracurricular life.

There are a few other examples I have that can demonstrate this newfound belief. Ask me sometime, let's chat. One summer and two semesters to go of this college career; it's creeping me out that more and more people are asking what I'll be doing post-graduation. Lots of options right now. This past year has made me realize even more how much of a people person I am. I want to work with people, for people, whether that's managing or coordinating. Whether or not I'll be able to link that with my civil engineering major is still a question, though I'm willing to let things ride out. No matter how long it'll take, I can trust that it'll be okay in the end. I'll stick with faith on this one.

Heyyy '09

I wish for too many things for 2009. '08 has been a blur of events, moments, memories. All in all, I can't lie in saying that I wish I could have done better. I could have taken advantage of my co-op more, been a better friend, a better son/brother, a better leader, gotten better grades. All the truth, yet I realize I can't take anything back, and with the coming of the new year, I'll be given another chance. I need to find that strength to really change. To be great, instead of just good, at the things I feel I can really excel at. To be more selfless, smart working, driven.

Something I've learned this year: never get comfortable. There's always something to improve, something to work on, something more to accomplish.

Work.

Mediocrity at its best

Good, but not good enough.

Hello Fall

Canada, Hawaii, Miami... (plus co-op and classes), summer of 2008. Had a blast on my trips. Going to miss it all. It really is a good life when you got family and friends around you, good food and good drinks, crazy nights and long sunny days. I feel grateful to have been able to experience it all with the people I love most, and to have met some new people along the way. What a blessing.

And now, back to classes again. 5 of them, to be exact. But! Amongst a number of civil engineering courses is my writing class, which I'm probably most excited for.

Cheers to a good semester :).